Making Bars Better
Frank Caiafa ~Mixologist ~Consultant ~Creative
Handle Bars NYC / Global
Bar & Hospitality Consultants
Cocktail and bar know-how and the business acumen to go along with it
Frank Caiafa
I am currently the Spirits Portfolio Director at Banville Wine Merchants and also direct my well established bar and beverage management and creative strategy entity, Handle Bars NYC / Global Inc.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, I was the director of food and beverage at NYC's Lexington Hotel and beverage director of its recent outlet, The Stayton Room. From 2005 until its closure for renovations, I was the beverage director of the highly celebrated Peacock Alley and La Chine restaurants at The Waldorf Astoria in New York City .
I am also the author of 'The Waldorf Astoria Bar Book' (Penguin), a 2017 James Beard Foundation Award finalist and a complete update inspired by the proprietary classic cocktail books, 'Old Waldorf Bar Days' (1931) and 'The Old Waldorf Astoria Bar Book' (1934). This new classic guidebook was also nominated for a 2017 Tales of the Cocktail 'Spirited Award' for Best New Cocktail and Bartending Book.
My food and beverage consulting enterprise, Handle Bars NYC/Global Inc, has been called upon for its expertise in a wide array of concepts.
Selected projects include, The Arizona Biltmore, InterContinental NY Barclay, M Social Times Square, The Towers of The Waldorf Astoria, The NY Hilton Midtown, The Fairmont Austin, The Inn at Perry Cabin (St. Michaels, MD), The Long Bar at The Waldorf Astoria in Shanghai, The Garden City Hotel, Waterstone Resort & Marina in Boca Raton and the lauded NoHo bar, The Vault at Pfaff's, among others.
My topical writing, personal recipes, reviews and illustrations have been published in numerous periodicals and books including The New York Times, Whisky Advocate, Wine Enthusiast, Forbes, Punch, Barleycorn Drinks, and Time Out New York among many others.
I have also participated in many high profile industry events including sitting on judging panels ranging from blind tastings of both wine and spirits along with varied sponsored cocktail competitions.